On Friday, the Vancouver Canucks reported one confirmed case of mumps in a player and at least four others showing symptoms of the contagious viral infection. The hockey team is working with provincial and city health officials to minimize transmission.

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According to Canucks General Manager, Jim Benning, the confirmed case is 22-year-old defenseman, Troy Stecher.

The four players presenting symptoms, Chris Tanev, Nikita Tryamkin, Mike Chaput and Markus Granlund, are immediately being tested and quarantined in isolation for a five-day period from the onset of symptoms or until test results prove negative.

Vaccines are also being administered to minimize further risk of contraction along with universal preventative hygiene measures as recommended by Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Centre of Disease Control including disinfecting all dressing room areas.

Speaking of mumps in hockey players, a mumps outbreak was reported this week in Medicine Hat in southeast Alberta, with nine confirmed cases. Seven of its nine victims are members of the Medicine Hat Tigers, currently in top spot in the Western Hockey League’s Central Division, local media report.

The mumps virus is characterized by swelling of the glands located just below or in front of the ear/jaw. Individuals with mumps virus may not experience symptoms at all, and for those who do show symptoms, they usually occur about two weeks after being initially infected.

Symptoms of mumps include: Swelling and tenderness of one or both salivary glands, usually the parotid glands located just below the front of the ear/jaw, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.